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Original poster

Do i take the plunge and go 3 day part time - can i afford it - what do you have 'free' a month

37 replies

Jellybabie3 · 03/07/2018 09:54

So its a question i guess noone else can really answer but i am gonna throw it out there anyway. i am a first time mum wanting to return to work part time. I can afford 4 days and plan to use annual leave to get to christmas on 3 days. But I would love to then switch to 3 days permanently in January. DH also earns but we have separate accounts. He earns less than me so I pay a greater % of the mortgage + bills and he covers food. We will split childcare.

By working 4 days I (as in just me) have a healthy £750/mth ish left over which allows me to save. 3 days leaves £430. Having been on maternity for a year a feel I have got a better grasp on money but is this enough going forward with clothes etc for DS and god knows what else (only d.debit bills accounted for in the sums so no car insurance etc) as he grows. Holidays etc? Future children... I am scared to make any leaps in case I muck it all up....

Any advice from similar situations? I have no idea what to do. If i mention to boss and muck her about it can only make work life harder. I am also being hounded by childcare to make a decision

OP posts:
Donotbequotingmeinbold · 03/07/2018 16:25

I would work out exactly what you have left after everything is accounted for including car insurance, a car servicing and repairs fund etc. It's the only way of knowing whether it is doable. If it is doable I would most definitely go for it. They are only little for a few years. You can go full time and save lots of money in a few years.

ButterChickenwithyellowrice · 03/07/2018 21:29

Would you be happy for him to go to 3 days? Why not go to 4 days each?

Original poster
Jellybabie3 · 03/07/2018 21:37

I dont think he could with his job unfortunately.

Taking account of line rental, service, MOT, insurance, baby swim, bday and christmas present budget, dental plan....I am left with across the year (so I'd put away x for car etc each month) £325 'free money' and thats worst case. Best case would be £372 if DH can take some of the pressure off in places....but obv this doesnt account for £ on DS/my clothes.

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Heyyouyou · 03/07/2018 23:43

Is this just what you have left? Your other half will also have money left? I say go for it if you are struggling you could always up another day 😊

Melfish · 04/07/2018 00:01

I went from 5 days a week down to 3 when I came back from maternity leave. The drop in take home £ wasn’t as bad as I thought as the tax also dropped.

The one thing I would warn you is that it will affect your pension contributions. I’ve been part time for 10 years and it’s quite a shock to see I’ve only been working there for the equivalent of say 12 years rather than the 18 it would have been if I stayed full time.

Original poster
Jellybabie3 · 04/07/2018 02:41

Yes it is just what i would have left. DH would have a very similar amount post bills

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Original poster
Jellybabie3 · 04/07/2018 02:41

Thank you all

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Battleax · 04/07/2018 03:07

Time to combine finances? It would make it all much easier.

Original poster
Jellybabie3 · 04/07/2018 06:42

Hmm I guess we could. The prinicple is the same though.

Is it dooable do you think??

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Battleax · 04/07/2018 06:45

Doable but not lavish, going on your figures alone.

Do you know what kind of monthly surplus your OH has?

Battleax · 04/07/2018 06:46

Oh sorry, you said similar amount. I wouldn’t feel scared on those figures. Presumably you’ll be reviewing after three yearsish anyway?

dueanotherchange · 04/07/2018 06:48

I think you need to include clothes, and savings. Savings for the future ideally but also for a broken boiler, or a new Hoover or whatever. You also don’t mention food....does your DH pay for that?

Gizlotsmum · 04/07/2018 06:51

Have you budgeted childcare in that amount? It sounds doable but what do you do with your spare cash now? What would be the compromise to not overspend every month? Do you have to make a decision now? When you go back could you save the extra money from working 4 days and taking one as leave and see how you manage on your new budget before putting in a formal request. How much notice do work and childcare need for a change of hours?

Original poster
Jellybabie3 · 04/07/2018 07:06

DH pays for food. I have enough savings for 3x months earnings put away.

Pre baby money was spent on frivolous things to some extent, wine, long holidays, we do spend alot on our garden, coffee shops Hmm. We would have to tighten our food budget.

Childcare is included. DS is going to a family member who is a certified childminder so I doubt there will be issues with contractual agreements.

My plan as it is is to agree 3 days with the childminder and 'return to work' for 4 days taking the 4th day as leave until Christmas. Then switch to 3 days. But I would want to plant the seed with childminder and boss sooner rather than later to avoid and upset. I already told the childminder that I was doing full time, then 4 and now potentially 3, so I feel like I am mucking people about.

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Original poster
Jellybabie3 · 04/07/2018 07:07

I know I'm stupid but I know I want another baby too....maybe 'trying' in a year or two....its not going to be enough to start ferreting money away for mat leave/childcare is it

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Slartybartfast · 04/07/2018 07:10

From a family perspective I think 3 is perfect, if your employer agrees.

Original poster
Jellybabie3 · 04/07/2018 07:30

I think my boss would agree. Just not me saying 'i will do 4....then 3......I've ran out of money so need to do 4 again...'. My boss is on leave this week so I was hoping to get my head around it to speak to her some point soon.

Gosh its nerve racking. I am by no means bragging, but I was comfortably saving £600/mth and buy a good few bits each month. I saved alot to take a year off with DS and be comfortable with it. I just cant bear the thought of leaving him now. I look at what i have spent money on and I admit I am embarrassed. So it is a big life style change and its the fear thats set in.

I just know (despite the lack of sleep) i would love to do it all again and have a bigger family but wonder how without being able to save like i did.

I really do appreciate everyone's comments and advice. Thank you

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Battleax · 04/07/2018 07:34

I know I'm stupid but I know I want another baby too....maybe 'trying' in a year or two....its not going to be enough to start ferreting money away for mat leave/childcare is it

It’ll probably make even more financial sense when you’re looking at FT nursery fees x 2. Do some sums for comparison.

Freetogo · 04/07/2018 07:38

It will be a change to lifestyle but worth it.

We spent £2 last weekend. £1 on park & ride & £1 on bread. It was bloody lovely to see I hadnt wasted loads on rubbish.

(Im clearing my c.card - 6 months left til its paid off)

We take packed lunches out & I take coffee with me.

It can be done. You can't ever get that time back with your DC.

Original poster
Jellybabie3 · 04/07/2018 07:38

Oh I c. So it may be better for me to work 3 days with 2 babies...

Childminder is much cheaper than a nursery for sure. That would have bankrupted us

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QuiteCleanBandit · 04/07/2018 07:40

I would stay at 4 if you plan to have another child.
You will be on 3 (paid for 4) until Chritmas anyway, save all surplus - go on second Mat leave (paid at 4) and then drop down to 3 when you return after second mat leave.

Original poster
Jellybabie3 · 04/07/2018 07:42

@Freetogo thank you. I would have 2 days and realistically, 1 is taken up by baby swim (we walk round the park after) which I have budgeted for. The other day I would likely spend playing or walking DS somewhere. I do buy clothes from charity shops etc as I cant see the sense in buying all new.

As its the beginning of the month I may try cutting right back this month.

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DunesOfSand · 04/07/2018 08:08

Are you able to change your hours that easily? I was only able to put a flexible working request in once a year - so will you be able to request a drop to 4 days now, and then request again in 6 months time?

Original poster
Jellybabie3 · 04/07/2018 08:19

I dont know!

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Original poster
Jellybabie3 · 04/07/2018 08:22

Your right. I cant.

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